There’s never been a better time to be a beer drinker! Can I get a big CHEERS to that? We just want to be sure all of our responsible, content beer drinkers have all the facts. A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing so we want to be sure you have ALL the knowledge. That’s why we are busting up some beer myths today.

Have you ever heard any of these beer myths?

MYTH: All beer of a certain color tastes the same, for example all dark beer tastes the same.

FACT: The color of a beer only has to do with how long the grains were roasted. Beers of a similar color can have a large range of flavors. They can range in hops character, alcohol percentage, sweetness, or bitterness – the list is endless.

MYTH: Beer is a man’s drink.

FACT: Archaeologists who study fermentation agree on one thing: the vast majority of ancient brewers were women. While women’s consumption has not equaled men’s, they have long-lasting ties to the drink. And an increasing number of women are studying brewing and founding breweries.

MYTH: Being a craft brewery just means that it is a small brewery.

FACT: There are certain size qualifications to be a craft brewery. The Brewer’s Association defines an American craft brewer as a small, independent, and traditional producer of beer. Craft brewers must have an annual production of 6 million barrels of beer or less. Only less than 25 percent of the craft brewery can be owned or controlled by a beverage alcohol industry member that is not itself a craft brewer. But factors other than size contribute to the spirit of craft breweries. The brewers often concoct new styles that let drinkers experiment; they run taprooms where customers can relax with their friends and neighbors; they build ties to their local communities. Some craft breweries are active in philanthropy, environmental sustainability, and employee initiative practices.

MYTH: The ingredients in beer are all unhealthy with no value added nutrients.

FACT: Beer contains significant amounts of magnesium, selenium, potassium, phosphorus, biotin, and is chock full of B vitamins. Beers containing high levels of malted barley and hops are rich in silicon which can ward off osteoporosis. Enjoying a beer can increase the amount of healthy HDL cholesterol in your body. Beer can protect you from dementia by helping you avoid oxidative stress which fosters dementia in old age. Comparative analyses show a connection between moderate alcohol consumption and a lower risk of Type 2 Diabetes. Bitter acids in beer may improve digestion. The more bitter acids a brew contains, the greater the response. How’s that for value added?

Our hope is that all this debunking of beer myths will allow you to enjoy beer for the better. Raise your glass to beer!